Mayor of Dartford - role of the mayor
The title of 'mayor' was derived through the Council being granted borough status on 21 June 1977 and falls to a Councillor who is elected annually to the office of Mayor.
Mayor making is regarded as an important civic and ceremonial event. The election of the Mayor is not decided by the electorate but by a majority of the Councillors.
A Deputy Mayor is appointed by the Council from among the Councillors.
The Mayor is addressed as 'The Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford'. The Deputy Mayor is addressed as 'The Deputy Mayor'.
The Dartford Borough Council Constitution sets out the role and function of the Mayor as follows:
The Mayor is the First Citizen of the Borough of Dartford.
The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor have the following roles and functions;
- To uphold and promote the purposes of this Constitution and to interpret the Constitution where necessary;
- To preside over meetings of the General Assembly of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community;
- To ensure that meetings of the General Assembly of the Council are forums for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which Members who are not on the Cabinet or hold office of Committee/Board Chairmen are able to hold Cabinet Members and Committee/Board Chairmen to account;
- Together with all Members of the Council to promote public involvement in the Council's activities;
- To be the conscience of the Council;
- To attend such civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and the Mayor determines appropriate.
